With the lessons learned from Old Zion City, which always relied on historical data, humans finally woke up to the fact that the Westboro people might not always adhere strictly to the attack cycles human intelligence had gathered about them, when it came to launching attacks on human main cities "on time". This realization prompted Lena Tower City to begin urgently fortifying its defenses, as no one knew which human main city the Westboro people would suddenly strike next on a large scale.
After participating in a brief graduation ceremony, Hao Yun and his two companions left the Military Service Center. Outside, they soon met Karl, who had been waiting with three large bags and some equipment, all of which Hao Yun had previously arranged to collect from the military headquarters.
"Why didn't Derong come with you today?" Dream Jia asked Karl as she geared up.
"According to the command just issued by headquarters, Lena Tower City has officially entered a state of readiness. All citizens are now actively engaged in preparing strategic supplies. So, Derong has just returned to the food processing plant to rush the preparation of war rations," Karl said with a serious tone.
Upon sensing the tension in Karl's voice, Hao Yun asked, "Why has the situation suddenly become urgent? Does this mean the Westboro people are preparing to attack Lena Tower City?"
"It's very likely. According to the information passed on by Old Zion, we learned that long-established Westboro strongholds around Old Zion suddenly disappeared before the Westboro people launched a large-scale attack. Initially, Old Zion thought the Westboro forces had withdrawn due to an inability to threaten their security, opting instead to redeploy their troops. However, shortly after the Westboro strongholds inexplicably disappeared, Old Zion City found itself besieged by the Westboro army," Karl replied.
Karl took a deep breath and continued, "Based on Old Zion City's description, Lena Tower City immediately dispatched multiple reconnaissance teams to investigate the long-established Westboro strongholds around our area. The result was similar to Old Zion's findings—all Westboro strongholds around Lena Tower City had vanished into thin air. Therefore, based on what happened at Old Zion, we have reason to believe that the Westboro people are likely preparing for a large-scale surprise attack on Lena Tower City."
"In that case, how is Old Zion City faring now?" Dao Lao asked.
Karl shook his head with a touch of despair and answered, "According to the latest information we received, although Old Zion City is still holding off the Westboro assault for now, their situation remains very grim. Their preparedness and defensive resources are insufficient, and many defensive works are still under construction, leaving them in a precarious position in defense. According to military experts from Old Zion City, if the Westboro people continue their current offensive, the defensive works built on Mount Zion can at most hold out for another two to three months before collapsing completely."
"Given this situation, why haven't other nearby main cities sent reinforcements?" Hao Yun asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Of course, it's not that they don't want to send reinforcements; it's just that the difficulty and risk involved are simply too great. The Westboro people have the capability to launch simultaneous large-scale attacks on three hundred human main cities. Coupled with their significant destruction of human armed forces in earlier years, each main city's regular military strength has been reduced to the level just sufficient for self-defense. This has left each main city in the dilemma of not being able to spare additional troops to support other main cities," Karl explained bitterly.
"Moreover, each main city suffered significant losses in the last century's major war and has since maintained a cyclical state of preparedness based on ancestral traditions. This has caught human garrisons off guard, making it even more difficult for them to send troops to support Old Zion City. Furthermore, if you go to reinforce others, you risk leaving your own defenses vulnerable. If the Westboro people choose to launch a large-scale attack at this time, you will inevitably fall into crisis. So, faced with the current situation, we appear very helpless. Apart from cheering for Old Zion City and urgently reinforcing our own defenses, we really can't think of any way to support them!" Karl sighed helplessly again before continuing, "Over a thousand years ago, more than three hundred human main cities reached a special agreement—if one of their main cities came under a large-scale attack by the Westboro people, they must immediately inform other main cities of the situation on the battlefield as soon as possible. This mutual understanding allows each main city to pre-judge the situation on their own battlefield through mutual knowledge of each other's conditions. However, besides understanding each other's situations, main cities absolutely cannot recklessly send troops to support a main city in crisis."
"We are very aware that once the defense system of a main city is breached, human garrisons simply do not have the capability to defeat the Westboro army. Haphazard reinforcements not only make it difficult to help other main cities out of trouble, but may also weaken one's own defensive strength, leading to a similar crisis. Therefore, to better protect human civilization and preserve the hope of human survival, humans have decided that even if a main city is about to fall, we will not send troops to reinforce it, but continue to hold our ground to ensure that our main city does not suffer the same fate."
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It was evident that Karl's emotions were deeply conflicted and complex as he narrated these events. He was unwilling to watch Old Zion City gradually descend into ruin. But to ensure the safety of Lena Tower City, the garrison here had no choice but to helplessly watch Old Zion City inch closer to its demise. Although a very difficult decision, Hao Yun understood Lena Tower City's approach. Their actions were not out of selfishness in the face of imminent disaster, but a manifestation of insufficient strength despite their willingness to confront the impending enemy.
Carl was explaining the situation of Old Zion City and Lena Tower on the way with Haoyun's group, hurrying to the square behind the Military Service Center. There, the majority of the Skull Special Forces had already assembled, awaiting military dispatches from the command center.
On their way to join the main force, Carl specifically warned Haoyun's group not to mention his visit with Derong. Although Haoyun's group didn't understand why Carl made this request, they naturally had no reason to refuse. They all assumed it was because the two young people wanted to quietly nurture their relationship without exposing it, fearing public scrutiny might harm their feelings.
Thinking this, Haoyun's group couldn't help but feel a bit more fond of Carl. Despite handling his relationship with Derong so cautiously, Carl was still willing to introduce Derong openly to Haoyun's group, indirectly showing that despite their brief time together, Carl considered them genuine friends. To ensure they kept Carl's little secret, Dao Lao and Dream Jia gave Haoyun targeted reminders not to blurt out anything about Carl and Derong due to his tendency to speak without thinking.
Carl quickly led Haoyun's group back to the unit, where they soon noticed that the Skull Special Forces had recruited many new faces in the past few days, increasing their total to one hundred and sixty people. Among their combat vehicles parked behind the soldier formations were dozens of hovercraft and motorcycles, along with over a dozen heavy tanks resembling the phantom tanks from a certain game, indicating the Special Forces had received additional equipment upgrades in preparation for the imminent city defense battle.
"Welcome back. Did you get used to life at the training camp?" Dr. Chu greeted Haoyun's group upon their return.
Despite Dr. Chu's burly physique and rugged appearance, reminiscent of Lu Zhishen with his upside-down willow tree look, his relatively quiet demeanor, constant genial smile, and the small glasses perched on his nose gave him a scholarly air that Haoyun associated with him positively, despite limited interaction.
"Thank you for your concern, Dr. Chu! We managed fine at the training camp! Of course, it helped that we were only undergoing basic training, so the intensity and difficulty weren't too overwhelming. If we had joined an advanced military training camp, things probably wouldn't have been as optimistic!" Haoyun smiled warmly, approaching him and exchanging a friendly hug, responding modestly.
"Hey, Ayun, you're too modest! Although you participated in basic training, it's said that among your peers, only the three of you achieved full marks in all assessments, which already speaks volumes about your excellence! Ah! The boss has such great judgment again! I didn't expect him to bring three promising rookies to our team this time!" Dr. Chu praised Haoyun's group while subtly patting the leader's backside.
Haoyun couldn't help but sigh inwardly—clearly, Dr. Chu's ability to stand out among many soldiers and become Eva's right-hand man was not only due to his exceptional abilities but also his emotional intelligence, which was undoubtedly crucial.
"I hope you can continue to excel in the upcoming operations and contribute even more! You know, the boss has always been very attentive to you and has high hopes for you!" Dr. Chu continued, deliberately emphasizing the word "you" with a gossipy look, winking at Haoyun.
"Ayun, you're back? I heard you did well in the training camp. The instructors were particularly pleased with the three of you!" Eva, having completed her conversation with Wang Defa, walked over to them with a smile.
"Reporting, Captain! We're just trying our best not to disappoint the boss's expectations!" Haoyun noticed Eva's smile was hiding some private thoughts, so he quickly stood at attention and saluted her.
"Hey! From now on, we're all on the same team! You don't have to salute me all the time! Our squad is very harmonious, and everyone here is like family, so you don't have to make things so formal. You can call me 'boss' from now on! Of course, if you want, calling me 'Bao Na' is fine too! Hehehe!" Eva smiled and said to Haoyun.
"Report! Then I'll still call you 'boss'! 'Bao Na' sounds too disrespectful to the leader and isn't serious enough!" Haoyun replied seriously, with a wry smile.
Haoyun kept his gaze fixed ahead, avoiding eye contact with Eva. He could feel a chilling sensation creeping up from behind. Meanwhile, he kept repeating in his mind: Jiabao, please don't misunderstand! I haven't done anything! It's this woman who keeps trying to provoke me! I'm just an innocent victim!
"Hehe! Indeed, absence makes the heart grow fonder! Look at the enthusiasm between you two! Should we all step aside first and let you two finish being lovey-dovey before we regroup for business?" Sure enough, Dream Jia's mocking tone soon arrived like a chilling wind, aimed directly at Haoyun.
Compared to Haoyun's military posture and formal salute, Dao Lao and Dream Jia didn't care much about etiquette. They stood casually behind Haoyun—one with fists clenched and cracking knuckles, glaring disdainfully at Haoyun and Eva. The other stroked his immaculate beard, eagerly watching the tangled love triangle before him, displaying a sly expression as if hoping for an immediate fierce conflict between the two men and one woman, making their spectator activity more thrilling.
"Oh my! Look at what you're saying, Sister Jia! Normally, you eat all the meat, and I just want to drink a few sips of the leftover soup, and I can't even do that? You really are a bit domineering!" Eva rolled her eyes at Dream Jia, holding her nose as she spoke. If people didn't know what had happened, they would have thought she was terribly wronged by Dream Jia.